Prayer amendment to appear on Missouri ballot

JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri lawmakers have approved a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would affirm the right to pray in public places.

The Missouri Constitution already says people have the right to worship according to their own consciences.

A measure that will appear on the 2012 ballot states that people can pray in public places, so long as they do not disturb the peace. It also says students can express their religious beliefs and cannot be compelled to participate in assignments that violate their religious beliefs. The amendment also creates a right to pray in the legislature and other government bodies.

Supporters said the measure clarifies existing prayer rights for people concerned about potential legal consequences.

It passed the Senate 34-0 Tuesday and cleared the House 126-30 in March.

I didn't realize our legislature was so interested in making it easier for Muslims to answer the Islamic call-to-prayer. That's very broad-minded of them.

P.S. I'm going to start a religion whose central tenet is that testing and grades are wrong. There were 900,000 students in Missouri last year, so I should get two- or three-hundred thousand converts, easily.

This is ludicrous! Next thing you know, biology teachers will be in court defending themselves for assigning F's to willfully ignorant youth. Is this the job-making that the GOP keeps harping about? All I see are invasive money wasters: drug-testing everyone who gets gov't money? -- $$$$ Future court battles over biology etc?? -- more $$$$.